What is a clinical sign of acute bacterial conjunctivitis?

• A. Purulent discharge with conjunctival injection
• B. Clear discharge with mild irritation
• C. Severe pain with corneal opacity
• D. Floaters

Answer: (A)

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis characteristically shows a red eye with thick, purulent discharge. The purulent, pus-like discharge combines with conjunctival injection (redness) because bacteria irritate the surface and trigger pus production alongside inflammation of the conjunctiva. This combination is the hallmark of a bacterial infection of the conjunctiva.

The other signs are not typical for this condition: clear discharge with only mild irritation points more toward viral or allergic causes; severe pain with corneal opacity suggests corneal involvement such as keratitis or a corneal ulcer, which is more serious; floaters indicate issues inside the eye’s posterior segment, not surface conjunctival infection.